In the following question, the main/primary stress is indicated by writing the syllable on which it occurs in…

Analyze the question: You are asked to pick the option that marks the primary stress correctly on the word "accidental".

Concept: In English, words ending in -ent, -ental, -ential, -ion, -ic, -ity and similar suffixes usually take the primary stress on the syllable just before the suffix. For words ending in -al that come from a root like "accident", the stress follows the root's pattern, shifting to the syllable before the "-al" ending when the "-ent" is part of the "-ental" ending.

Solution:

1. Split the word into syllables: ac-ci-den-tal (4 syllables).
2. The root is "ACcident", with stress on the first syllable.
3. Adding the suffix -al changes the word to "accidental". Words ending in -ental pull the stress onto the -dent- syllable. Compare: • in-stru-MEN-tal • de-part-MEN-tal • fun-da-MEN-tal • co-in-ci-DEN-tal • oc-ci-DEN-tal
4. So "accidental" follows the same pattern: ac-ci-DEN-tal.

Checking the options:

• A. AC-ci-den-tal: this is the stress of "accident" (the noun), not "accidental".
• B. ac-ci-DEN-tal: correct.
• C. ac-CI-den-tal: wrong.
• D. ac-ci-den-TAL: the last syllable is not stressed.

Answer: B

Tip: For words ending in -ental, put the stress on -DEN- (the syllable right before "-tal"): accidENtal, fundamENtal, instrumENtal, incidENtal. Hearing the rhythm "ac-ci-DEN-tal" helps you remember it.